According to Sky Sports, Everton are set to bid £60million plus a player for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha. The player included in the deal is believed to be Turkish international Cenk Tosun. The move from the Merseysider’s is certainly a twist in the Zaha future story. The winger has, of course, submitted a transfer request, as he wanted to leave the Eagles to play European football.

Arsenal have failed to meet Palace’s valuation

Arsenal had been favourites to sign the Ivory Coast international this summer and still are. However, the Gunners do not seem to be willing to meet Palace’s reported £80million valuation of the player. The club from north London saw a bid of £40million turned down earlier this summer.

He will be a big loss to Palace if he does indeed leave this summer. However, the Eagles do not have to sell and will only do so if they receive a big fee for the star. The interest from Everton may well mean that the Gunners have to up their offer for the player. It is understood that a move to north London is the player’s preference.

Everton looking to recruit attacking players

It seems that Everton have been linked with every player under the sun this summer. However, it seems that two of the positions that the Toffees are attempting to fill are striker and winger. Ironically, Zaha can play in both of those roles.

In fact, despite spending much of his career out wide, he played much of his football in a more central position last season. He was Palace’s most effective attacking player. In truth, that was not hard as the other Eagles forwards had struggled for form and fitness.

Zaha would definitely offer the Toffees something different than their current attacking options. The 26-year-old may well become even more productive playing alongside players of a higher standard. He would not be attempting to win games on his own at Everton like he has to at Palace.

Destination unknown for Zaha

It seems that Wilfried Zaha moving to Merseyside is highly unlikely. Reports suggest that the forward is interested in the move, but would prefer to remain in the capital. However, if Arsenal does not come up with Palace’s valuation of the player, then Zaha could realistically move to Everton.

Some reports claim that Chelsea are also interested in signing Zaha. That would be a strange move by the Blues considering that they are banned from registering players for the next two transfer windows.

They could sign Zaha, but they would not be able to register him as a Chelsea player until next summer. He would then mostly remain at Palace on loan until next season. Whether that scenario will appeal to the player is unknown. Considering he wants to leave the Eagles it seems doubtful.

The agent of Zaha will no doubt take advantage of Everton’s interest to persuade Arsenal to cough up the fee. However, if they do not, then a move to Merseyside is not unrealistic, as the Toffees are ambitious and he would receive a big pay rise.

At the moment, it is a case of destination unknown for the Ivory Coast international. This story could run a long time and with just a few weeks to go in the Premier League transfer window, Zaha will want his future sorted out quickly.

Will Wilfried Zaha be plying his trade at Everton next season?